Is Laos safe to visit?

Yes — Laos is one of Southeast Asia's safest destinations. Petty crime is rare, locals are famously welcoming, and our small group tours travel with experienced English-speaking guides throughout.

When is the best time to visit Laos?

The cool dry season (November to February) is ideal for most travellers. Visit in mid-April if you want to experience the colourful Lao New Year (Pi Mai) water festival.

What is Laos famous for?

Laos is famous for the UNESCO city of Luang Prabang, the Mekong River, golden Buddhist temples, the dawn alms ceremony, the 4,000 Islands archipelago, hill tribe cultures and being Southeast Asia's most relaxed country.

How big are your Laos tour groups?

Our Laos group tours have a maximum of 12 travellers, allowing genuine cultural immersion and access to villages and experiences large groups simply can't reach.

Do I need a visa for Laos?

Most nationalities (including UK, US, EU, Canada and Australia) can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival or apply for an e-Visa in advance. Your passport must have at least six months' validity.

What's the food like in Laos?

Lao cuisine is fragrant, herbal and lightly spiced — expect sticky rice, larb (minced meat salad), tam mak hoong (papaya salad), fresh river fish and French-influenced baguettes. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

LaosFrom £3,1952 tours

Laos Tours & Holiday

Laos tours through the Mekong, mountains and monasteries — small group holidays in Southeast Asia's most peaceful and least-visited country

Best timeNov–Feb & Mar–Apr
Time zoneICT (UTC+7)
CurrencyLao (official), French & English
LanguageLao (official), French & English
Travel styleSmall group & slow travel
TransportVehicles, boats, flights, bikes & tuk-tuks
VisaVisa-on-arrival/e-Visa for most nationals (30 days)

Overview

An introduction to Laos

Laos tours offer one of Southeast Asia's most rewarding and unhurried journeys. Often overlooked beside its busier neighbours, Laos is a landlocked kingdom of gleaming temple roofs, French colonial architecture, dense jungle plateaux, and the slow-flowing Mekong River — the lifeblood that connects hill tribe villages in the north to the lazy river archipelago of the 4,000 Islands in the south.

Our small group Laos holidays travel from the French-colonial capital of Vientiane through the tribal heartland of Luang Namtha, the UNESCO-listed city of Luang Prabang and its famous dawn alms ceremony, across the coffee-growing Bolaven Plateau, and down to the riverine landscapes of Si Phan Don. Laos rewards travellers who value culture, slow travel, and genuine connection over rushed itineraries and crowded tourist sites.

Explore

Laos

Our journeys

Tours in Laos

Small-group departures led by local experts, plus private tailor-made itineraries shaped around your interests, pace and dates.

Laos and Cambodia Encompassed

Laos and Cambodia, neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia, are known for the World Heritage Sites of Luang Prabang and Angkor Wat and for their shared rich French colonial past. On this extended tour we not only take in the key sights, but we take the time to get off the tourist trail and to uncover what makes these two destinations so special.

From

£5,395

Laos – The Secret Heart of Asia

A unique tour to South East Asia’s best kept secret, Laos, where we get well beyond the tourist trail. We start this cultural odyssey in Vientiane, Laos’ delightfully friendly capital, studded with crumbling French mansions, bougainvillea-blooming streets and steaming noodle stalls. Next up is the little visited North of Laos to experience the ethnic diversity of the many hill tribes in the region of Luang Namtha and observe local customs and traditions. A 2-day journey down the mighty Mekong River then awaits culminating in an arrival in Luang Prabang, which captivates even the most jaded travellers with its brew of gleaming temple roofs, crumbling French provincial architecture and multi-ethnic inhabitants. Nest we head south to the spectacular lush jungle of the Bolaven Plateau and immerse ourselves in authentic coffee culture and visit some of the most alluring scenery in Asia, the landscape scattered with volcanos and sparkling waterfalls. The conclusion of this off the beaten track adventure takes us to the enchanting 4000 islands, an area where time stands still, and revel in the joy of leisurely exploring villages by bicycle or tuk tuk and even try your hand at fishing. Join us to experience the hidden charms of Laos.

From

£3,195

All tours

Why visit

What makes Laos worth the journey

A place apart

Asia's Most Peaceful Country

Experience a slower pace, warm hospitality and a profoundly Buddhist culture rarely matched elsewhere in Asia.

UNESCO Heritage

Discover two UNESCO World Heritage sites — Luang Prabang's temple-filled old town and the Khmer ruins of Wat Phou.

Mekong River Adventures

Cruise, cycle and explore one of the world's great rivers from its mountainous north to the 4,000 Islands.

Authentic Hill Tribe Culture

Visit ethnic minority villages around Luang Namtha that remain remarkably untouched by mass tourism.

See itineraries

Next departure to Laos

Laos and Cambodia Encompassed

26 Oct 2026Guaranteed departurefrom £5,395 pp

View tour

Highlights

The moments that make
Laos unforgettable

Luang Prabang

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of golden-roofed temples, French colonial architecture and the famous dawn monk alms ceremony.

Vientiane

Discover the relaxed riverside capital, home to Pha That Luang, Wat Si Saket and atmospheric noodle stalls along the Mekong.

Mekong River Cruise

Drift downstream on a two-day cruise through dramatic limestone landscapes and remote riverside villages.

Luang Namtha & Hill Tribes

Travel through the lush mountains of northern Laos and meet ethnic minority communities in their traditional villages.

Bolaven Plateau

Visit working coffee plantations, cascading waterfalls and indigenous villages in the cool southern highlands

4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don)

Cycle through traditional fishing villages and explore the lazy river archipelago of the southern Mekong.

Wat Phou

Discover the UNESCO-listed pre-Angkorian Khmer temple complex set against a sacred mountain backdrop.

Laos & Cambodia Combo

Extend through to Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, the Cardamom Mountains, Kep and Phnom Penh on our 29-day itinerary.

Places to Explore

Places to explore in Laos

Laos rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.

From the field

When to go

Picking the right season for your trip

The best time to visit Laos is during the cool dry season from November to February, when temperatures are mild (20–30°C), skies are clear and humidity is low — ideal for sightseeing, Mekong cruising and hill-tribe trekking. March to May is hot and dry (often above 35°C), with the Lao New Year (Pi Mai) water festival celebrated in mid-April. The southwest monsoon brings rain from June to October — lush green landscapes but heavier downpours, particularly in August and September. Northern Laos, including Luang Prabang and Luang Namtha, can be noticeably cooler than the lowlands during winter months, while the Bolaven Plateau stays pleasantly cool year-round.

Live weather

Laos

Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Laos tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.

From the journal

Stories from the region

Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.

All Laos stories

Asia & Pacific

The Best Things to Do in Vientiane: Beyond the Tourist Trail

Vientiane is Laos’ quietly captivating capital — a compact, walkable city of golden Buddhist temples, French colonial streets, and one of the finest Mekong sunsets in South East Asia. Despite sitting in Luang Prabang’s shadow, the best things to do in Vientiane reward slow, curious travel: sacred stupas, living markets, humbling history at the COPE Centre, and evenings that end perfectly beside the river. This guide covers all of it.

Jim Louth·16 Jun 2026

Asia & Pacific

The Essential Laos Travel Tips Every First-Timer Should Know

Laos is one of South East Asia’s most rewarding first-time destinations — landlocked, unhurried, and far less visited than its neighbours. This essential Laos travel guide covers everything you need before you go: visas, packing, cultural customs, tipping, getting around, and what to expect on the ground. Arrive prepared and this extraordinary country will exceed every expectation.

Jim Louth·29 May 2026

Asia & Pacific

Things to Do in Laos: Ancient Temples, River Cruises and Hill Tribes

Things to do in Laos range from the sacred morning almsgiving ceremony in Luang Prabang to slow boat cruises along the Mekong and hill tribe village walks in the remote north. This landlocked country is home to pre-Angkorian temples, volcanic highland coffee, and one of the great river journeys in South East Asia. Whether you have two weeks or longer, this Laos travel guide covers every region worth knowing.

Jim Louth·22 May 2026

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”

Anna

“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”

Grete

“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”

Frank

“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”

Cathy

“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”

Lynn

“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”

Andy

“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”

Jennie

“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”

Debbie

“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”

Alexis

“Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.”

Steve

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Laos journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

Gallery

Scenes from Laos

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Tailor-made journeys

Didn’t find your
perfect Laos trip?

We’ll build one around you.

Tailor-made Laos holidays let you travel at the slow, considered pace this country deserves. A private journey can combine the UNESCO city of Luang Prabang with a Mekong cruise, the hill tribe villages of Luang Namtha, the coffee plantations of the Bolaven Plateau and the 4,000 Islands — or extend across borders into Cambodia, Vietnam or Thailand. Whether your priority is Buddhist culture, river cruising, trekking with hill tribe communities, or simply unwinding in a riverside boutique hotel, we'll build an itinerary around your interests and pace. Private guides, internal flights, hand-picked accommodation and seamless logistics are all arranged so you can travel with confidence.

Your dates

Travel when it suits you

Private group

Just you, family or friends

Your pace

Linger longer, skip the rest

Bespoke extras

Private guides, rare access

Start planning your trip Speak to a specialist

Typical reply within 3 working days · No obligation · Trusted by travellers since 2004

How it works

1Tell us what you have in mind
2We build an itinerary + quote
3Refine until it feels right

Est. 2004

20+ years of
bespoke travel

Questions, answered

Planning a trip to Laos?

Yes — Laos is one of Southeast Asia's safest destinations. Petty crime is rare, locals are famously welcoming, and our small group tours travel with experienced English-speaking guides throughout.

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

Before travelling, consult the latest UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos. Laos is generally a safe destination, though travellers should be aware of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in remote rural areas — our Laos itineraries stick to safe, well-established routes. US travellers should check travel.state.gov for current guidance.